Lockheed C-121 Constellation aka “Connie” on the rain soaked ramp at King Salmon Air Force Station, Alaska sometime in 1964.
I’m finding reflections everywhere these days. Last week, I decided it was about time I sorted and scanned the slides I shot in Alaska during my 1963-1964 tour of duty. When I spotted this image I said “perfect.” I didn’t know I had these photos and was surprised at how much of the Connie was reflected in the puddles in this first shot.
Here’s a closer look at the front of the aircraft. Isn’t she an elegant creature?
And this close in shot shows the distinctive “Connie” tail.
President Eisenhower’s Air Force One was a Connie, the VIP version of course. This elegant aircraft was used by the military as a transport plane and for airborne electronic surveillance (Air Force and Navy). The Constellation was a mainstay long distance aircraft for commercial airlines worldwide from it’s introduction into commercial service in 1945 until pushed aside by the coming of the jets in the 1960s.
I got to ride in one of these beauties once — first class no less. I had just graduated from Air Police Tech School in San Antonio and was on my way home on leave before reporting for my tour in Alaska. When I changed planes at Washington National for the last leg to Phila., there were no more seats in the back of the plane so they bumped me to first class. When you flew military standby you took what you got and I hit the jackpot that day.
These photos, like all my surviving Alaska shots, are on 127 roll film “super slides.” The camera was a simple one but it got the job done. Super slide mounts are the same size as 35 mm slide mounts but the image area is square and much larger. Makes for interesting scans because all but the 35mm area gets cropped out by the slide carrier.
A few of these slides have fungus on them. It’s not as bad as it sounds. The fungus looks like spots to the naked eye, but when scanned and enlarged the fungus is quite obvious. Fortunately there aren’t many spots and the largest was in the sky area so I managed to get rid of it using the clone function.
I thought these vintage color photos would look better in B&W so I converted the scans. I’m pleased with the way they turned out. The photos look pretty good considering they are 45 years old.
Beautiful and different reflections, I liked a lot it in b&w!
What I could say now? You are an artist!
Well done!
Léia – Bonjour Luxembourg
Thank you. We are all artists. All we need do is allow our passions to surface. Then follow them.
Great reflections, super photos!
I like every of your posts, with or without reflections;The pictures in black and white, and your words, are little pieces of History; I like the way you share your memories of the sixties; every pic is a testimony of an other time, not so far away, but already gone.
About artists, I like what Picasso used to say: “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist as one grows up”..
Have a nice week-end!
Thank you. Picasso’s words are so true. We grow up and forget that all of us are creative beings. Creativity makes our lives so much richer.
Pretty cool images for being 45 years old. Nice job on the cleanup of the images. B+W was definitely the right choice for the images.
Fabulous airplane! The rain soaked tarmac makes this airplane appear all the more impressive. Nice reflections!
Great reflections. Lovely photo’s
Very special and very different reflections,
you shots are UNIQUE
I really love all of these little pieces of history that you are sharing with us. Great reflections in the first photo, and that really is a beautiful aircraft. Love that you posted them in black and white, very fitting to the subject/time.
Really great pictures of these planes. They were mighty machines at the time.
Fascinating old photos! I think my favourite (as far as reflections are concerned) is the second photo! Love the graduated reflection tones from dark to light leading into the depths of the scene!
Thank you for your comment in my blog. You did a great job converting these photos into B&W. I love them. Imagine 45 years old!
Oh wow…it use to be Air Force One. How cool is that. Well not that exact one. WOOT…I learned something today. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have a great Weekend ahead
Very nice reflections, and a Great History Lesson. As a lad growing up in Nova Scotia in the 1960’s I can remember seeing Propeller Planes flying overhead. Some were low enough I could almost see the the wings.
Nice pictures enhanced by the story.
Neat photos! Wet airfield adds interest!
… Visit my contribution “Where does reality end?”
The Connie is elegant looking and your images are beautiful. I’m fascinated by how much the wet pavement adds to your subject.
The photos really do look good for being so old and look great in B&W as well. Fungus? EW!
Thanks for the visit & your kind comment. I like these photos, mainly because they are old and you have done so well in preserving them. The reflections are not obvious, but your comments made me look more closely to find the image.
Very crisp photos.
The first thing I zeroed in on, long before the reflection, was the interesting tail design. Glad you had a close-up of it.
I like how deserted the airfield seems – it makes for a lovely calm image. I especially like the pointy reflections under the body of the plane – are these trees?
Not only seems deserted, King Salmon is/was out in the boonies. It’s on the northern side of the Alaskan peninsula close to the where the peninsula begins, near the mouth of the Naknek river.
No trees in the image. There weren’t many trees out there, at least not big ones.
Very nice vintage shots!
Wonderfully nostalgic reflections beautifully presented. My reflections are at Small Reflections this weekend.
Hugs and blessings,
these are very impressive photos, its nice to find things from the archives…
John, I’m glad you explained how you came to take these photos of the “Connie.” They are marvelous shots with great reflections!
Wonderful wonderful!!! love to see that Connie she is a beauty and once again your story was engaging and fun to read!
The ‘Connie’ was a beautiful aircraft. I used to use 127 film in the early 60s in an old Brownie camera. Nice shots you have.
Magnificent photos here John, you’re the pro when it comes to monochromes…I’ve been thinking if I’d ever get to do mine as good as yours…anyway, sorry for the late visit, got tied up over the weekend.
I’m blushing Pacey. I just have fun and I’ve been doing B&W for years. Pro? I appreciate the complement.
I dug out more goodies for Friday. I’ve got the photos all ready to go. Now I need the words and Friday. And yes, they are B&W. I love playing with these reflections. James came up with a good one there.